Orange Crop Estimate Slips

WASHINGTON - Dec 10/09 - SNS -- Orange production in the United States for the 2009-10 season is now expected to total 8.20 million tons, down 1% from the October 1 forecast and down 11% from the 2008-09 final utilization, according to the USDA.

The Florida all orange forecast, at 135 million boxes (6.08 million tons), is down 1% from the previous forecast and down 17% from last season's final utilization. Early, midseason, and navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 69.0 million boxes (3.11 million tons), unchanged from October but 18% lower than last season. The Florida Valencia orange forecast, at 66.0 million boxes (2.97 million tons), is down 1% from the previous forecast and down 15% from the 2008-09 crop.

Fruit size and drop are below average for the early, midseason, navel, and Valencia varieties. Weather conditions in Florida's citrus growing regions during early 2009 were characterized by a series of cold fronts, freezing temperatures, and below average rainfall. California and Texas orange production forecasts are carried forward from October.

Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2009-10 season is 1.63 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from the October forecast but down 2% from last season's final yield of 1.66 gallons per box. Projected yield from the 2009-10 early-midseason and Valencia varieties will be published in the January Crop Production report. All projections of yield assume the processing relationships this season will be similar to those of the past several seasons.

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